♪ home while you slept, firefighters spent hours in the cold battling an intense fire. we are live with the details of this overnight breaking news. and a big policy change for the u.s. military. the role women will now play in times of war. and some early morning snow in our area. will we see more than just flurries? also, are we in for another bone chilling day? it is thursday, january 24th. "good morning maryland" and thank you for joining us. i'm charlie crowson. megan is off today. a code blue weather alert is in effect for baltimore city until sunday. that's because the freezing temperatures we're currently seeing and also gotten a little bit of snow on this thursday. officials say at least five people have died during the cold snap and many others have been rushed to the hospital.

earlier this week, parts of the states were under a windchill. that means temperatures dropped somewhere below 0 and 15 below. any relief in sight? meteorologist lynette charles has the latest on this and we have just gotten the cold temperatures. >> we have the snow on the ground the morning and a winter weather advisory is in effect until 9:00 this morning. for the areas here shaded in the blue color. take it easy on the roadways this morning. it's going to be very slick out there with the coating to about an inch of snow on the ground this morning. you know with the cold temperatures anything that fell just stuck. now on maryland's most powerful radar, what we're looking at, well we are looking at some light snow showers still a little bit of flurrying action happening this morning. and we'll go back to maryland's most powerful radar in just a moment. but let's talk about what's going on in terms of temperatures right now. as we look at abc2 most accurate forecast. we can see that temperatures coming in very cold. frigid once again. 14 degrees in perry hall. millersville is at 18 degrees and 14 in mount airy.

we will have the winds out of the north again making these temperatures feel more like we are in the single digits. and you plan your day, this is what you plan for. 25 degrees by lunchtime. and windy. let's get a check now of the abc2 timesaver traffic with lauren cook. good morning. good morning lynette. well as you mentioned the flurries are falling across the region this morning and it's making the roads really slick. so it's extremely important for you to take it slow especially as you approach this intersections or head on to the ramps this morning. as we take a look at the jfx no delays whatsoever heading downtown. everything is up to speed traveling through both the fort mchenry tunnel and harbor tunnel. and as we check in and take a live look outside here on the west side of the beltway in great shape. no delays from liberty road all the way down to route 40. here in parkville 695 also going to be nice and clear from harford road all the way up to towson but again that snow making for some very slick conditions this morning. be careful as you head out. charlie over to you. news time now 4:32 and breaking news out of baltimore city this morning. crews worked overnight in the

cold battling a fire and this morning abc2 news' sherrie johnson is live at the scene with more on the details of this and we understand that fire was pretty intense at times. >> reporter: that's what i hear. it sure was. we are here live at the intersection of north calvert and reed streets here in northeast baltimore. take a look behind me here, you can see that the crews are still on the scene of this three alarm fire. now this call came out just before 1:00 this morning. and when crews arrived here at calvert and reed streets, the three story brick building was fully engulfed in flames. this is an end of group commercial building, the first second and third floors were angel you have had in -- engulfed in flames. it created unsafe conditions for firefighters. they fought the fire from the outside because the building wasn't safe on the inside. no one was inside that building at the time of the fire and no one was hurt in this fire as well. now because of the cold

temperatures, an mta bus was brought in for shelter to keep warm. right now there is still no cause for this fire. but i am told that investigators are on the scene at this hour trying to figure out exactly what happened here this morning. reporting live in northeast baltimore, sherrie johnson, abc2 news. and as you drive this morning you're not going to have to worry about the speed cameras that are up everywhere. that's because those cameras in baltimore city are not going to be dishing out the tickets right now. the city's department of transportation is working with a new vendor to replace the old speed cameras. a spokeswoman says the city is required to take all cameras offline until the new system is up and running. temperature office revealed that -- after it was revealed that several cameras were responsible for issuing bogus speeding tickets. baltimore county delegate says the current process breeds distrust. >> they get that breached ticket and they're going to try to maximize the number of

tickets they can get. regardless of whether they're doing the best job they can they're going to do that. >> by the way the city's transportation department says in the interest of public safety, it does not plan to reveal when the cameras are back online. well, it may cost you a bit more to fill up the tank. senate president mike miller is proposing a gas tax increase. but the governor left it out of the budget. miller says the proposal would raise around $300 million a year. the prince george's county democrat says the money is needed for transportation projects. a bill could be introduced by the end of the week. day three of jury selection this morning in the barnes' murder trial. attorneys are hoping to wrap up this phase of the trial later today. 16-year-old barnes was visiting her family when she went missing back in 2010 and she was found dead a few months later and her half sister's ex- boyfriend michael johnson is on trial for the murder.

well, we continue to learn more today about the anne arundel county executive john leopold. his alleged behavior. yesterday erik robey the current chief of staff stepped in front -- testified in front of the boss. he did multiple campaign activities on county time back in 2010. that's when leopold was running for a second term in office. another security officer also took the stand. corporal mike walker told the court he would accompany leopold to the parking lot on a weekly basis and that's when leopold could have sex in a car with a county employee. the county executive faces charges of fraud and misconduct. the found guilty he could face prison time. the national front it. it is a big day for senator john kerry's political career. all planned he'll become the next u.s. secretary of state. today the former presidential candidate will appear before the senate foreign relations committee for a confirmation hearing. lawmakers believe kerry will win approval.

the president nominated kerry for the position back in december and he'll be replacing secretary of state hillary clinton. well, major changes are coming for women serving in the army and marines. and abc2 news ed payne has more on what could turn out to be a historic day. >> reporter: defense secretary leon panetta will make the announcement today. the pentagon is opening direct combat jobs to women. women are already serving and dying overseas. many of them have been drawn into battle because there are often no clear front lines. at least 130 female troops were killed in iraq and afghanistan and more than 800 were wounded. women already serving in the military think the decision is long overdue. >> we've got a bunch of strong capable, awesome women who can you know take any challenge that's thrown at us. >> reporter: critics say women won't be able to meet the physical requirements and it could weaken the military. illinois congresswoman duckworth an iraq war veteran believes women should be given a fair shot.

>> if they can meet the standards we just gained another soldier who's willing to serve the nation and willing to lay their lives down in a combat role and that's good for our military. >> reporter: not every combat position will open all at once. the new policy will be implemented over the next three years. and branches can ask for specific exemptions. ed payne, abc2 news. >> today, you can learn more about the obama administration's gun control policy. vice president joe biden is hosting is google+ fireside tangout this afternoon. it's being -- hangout this afternoon. it's being described as a modern day version of the fireside chats. he is expected to discuss the white house policy revolutions. this blast has brought freezing temperatures tot area -- to the area forcing the city to issue a code blue warning until sunday. now we're seeing snow and this was the scene overnight. flurries fell while you were sleeping. there were plows out this morning though getting ready for the commute today. lauren will have a check of that coming up in just a

moment. but as for the snow and these cold conditions. lynette how long? >> the snow is going to linger, the flurries that wii still seeing this morning going to linger through daylight time and then things will start to taper off a bit. but the cold temperatures charlie going to linger through the weekend and we have another shot of some winter weather as we go into friday. i'll detail more of that coming up but right now let's talk about maryland's most powerful radar. and what's on it. because we are looking at some snow this morning. as you step out the door, be careful. it is very slick on the roadways. we can see the snow still coming down around the eastern shore now around mill run and chapel woods and woodland. higgins, mill creek and also some snow back off towards the west. and we can see it around montgomery county now. and olney and also we're looking at it around glenelg. in howard county this morning be prepared for slick roadways and the white stuff flying around and already on the ground. the snow scenario, frigid temperatures equals drier snow. looking at temperatures under 20 and we are getting the 15-1

ratio. this is what we're going to be dealing with even into friday. let's send it over to you. all right, thanks a lot. you know his career is the stuff of legend. now we're being reminded of another connection ray lewis shares with super bowl xlvii. find out how one of the harbaugh brothers isn't just there for the last ride. he was there when lewis first saddled up. >> the league comes down on the golden boy. how tom brady's checkbook is going to get dinged for his ty cobb style slide. >> we are dealing with a crash on 83 and parkton and this snow is falling across the region making the roads really slick. here's a live look right now in ham den where the snow is covering the streets. be extra careful out there and we'll have more on the forecast and a complete check on the roads coming up on "good morning maryland."

well, the ravens aren't getting down to business today

preparing for super bowl xlvii. players have their first of three home practices today before leaving charm city. now before hitting the field, joe flacco, lewis and rice and terrell suggs are expected to answer questions of the 2012 season and this current super bowl run. the ravens head to the big easy monday six days ahead of super bowl xlvii. well, one raven is already faced off against 49ers' head coach jim harbaugh. this was 17 years ago. this is a great story. ray lewis made the first ever nfl career sack and the victim was john harbaugh's baby brother. 1996. lewis was a rookie playing against jim harbaugh. he was a quarterback for the indianapolis colts at that time. talk about coming full circle. jim now part of lewis' first major career move and now he's going to be there to see this ride come to an end. $10,000. that's the price tom brady's leg kick on reed is going to cost him. the nfl has fined the patriots' quarterback for sunday's high leg kick. brady makes $14 million a year. so the fine's probably not

going to affect him that much. but the quarterback also called reed after the game to apologize. a lot of people thought that could take out his knee or another area a bit more vulnerable in that kick. time now for a check on the weather forecast. lynette is here once again. you're focused on the cold. and the snow. >> i am. we're going to get another round of it as we go into friday and a lot of people i know were excited to wake up to the white stuff on the ground. >> it's a dusting. >> still very festive and it was neat to see i had my blinds closed and when i peeped out the window i'm like oh it worked. there it is. >> i got -- she always -- >> i like that. >> you got the watch. she always gets it right. >> so today we have the cold temperatures once again. we have the temperatures in the teens. these are your actual temperatures, we're not going to be dealing with the windchill as of yet. but look what we have. we're at 12 degrees right now in manchester. 16 in baltimore. shadyside coming in at 18. havre de grace at 16.

denton at 16. monrovia 14. and we do have the winds light now out of the north about 4 in manchester. about 6 in baltimore. and 7 in havre de grace. so we are feeling like we're in the single digits once again for today. as we look at what's going on, we will continue to stay cold as we go through time. but we do have high pressure that will build in as we go throughout the day. that is going to be bringing us some sunshine but we have to get this snow out of here and this will end as we go into the end of rush hour. this is a disturbance that rode through. this will start to slide off towards the north and east. high pressure is going to do its thing and be bringing us more sunshine. more dry times just for a day. and then we'll have another crack at the snow. so this time we'll have an alberta clipper that's going to come through the area. this time it will be affecting rush hour commute in the evening as we go into friday. this will wrap up saturday morning and the clipper. a quick moving system not going to linger long but once again it could lay down maybe about

an inch of snow. now as we go through time today, that temperature will be at 27 degrees. we'll get that sun/cloud mix. it's still going to be frigid and this 14 tonight as we jump back into deep freeze is going to feel more like the single digits. just going to do it all over again. by tomorrow still unseasonably cold and we will have the snow showers back into the forecast for us and here is is a check of the seven day forecast. as we will see about an inch of snow across the area. drying out on sunday and then the warm air starts to kick back in with some rain showers by tuesday and wednesday. let's get a check now of the abc2 timesaver traffic with lauren cook. good morning. good morning lynette. well, there is the snow that's falling and it's sticking to the roads. it's very cold out there this morning. so anticipate slick conditions. there are unfortunately several accidents. trouble in howard county where there's a crash right along the southbound lanes of columbia pike. right at clarksville pike. and if you are traveling in baltimore county, there's a crash in parkton on 83. right along the northbound

lanes and old york road. as we check in and take a live look at 695 here in towson, as delaney valley road. no delays as you head up to 83 or if you are traveling the inner loop down to 95. but again the roads are really slick out there. so be sure to take it slow especially when you approach any intersections or the ramps. here's what 95 looks like downtown at 395. traffic moving right along. no problems getting through the fort mchenry tunnel or the harbor tunnel. that's a look at your abc2 timesaver traffic. charlie over to you. news time now 4:47. and tempting your taste buds with unique treats. what better way to get the fill than with canton's dangerously delicious pies? the list took the daytona 500 that rips -- dive that whips up 50 different types of pies in regular rotation. from warm apple and pecan. the whole line of custard pies. but besides those there are

quiches and the savory selections. >> we have just home style chicken pot pie. we have sausage tomato and fennel. we have one of our best sellers is our smog which stands for steak, mushroom, onion and gruyere cheese. >> kind of felt like bubba there from "forrest gump." coming up tonight on the episode of the list, john waters is back with hair spray. it's performed with substantiates from the baltimore city orchestra. om that's the list at 7:00 right here on abc2. it is 4:48 on this thursday morning and one fast food chain is making sure you don't go hungry this morning. coming up, what you need to say at chick-fil-a to get a free breakfast sandwich. details straight ahead. >> also, the unselfish act done by three teenage boys for a friend. we're going to have their remarkable story when "good morning maryland" continues.

it is ten minutes before

the hour and five things on this thursday. it's free breakfast thursday at chick-fil-a restaurants. just say quote the early bird gets the chicken end quote and that's when you get the register. the give away runs from 6:30 in the morning until 10:30 in the morning. more than a million people visited the national aquarium in baltimore last year. this is the first increase in attendance since 2006. officials say the improving economy and a more interactive aquarium contributed to the increase. the aquarium brings in more than $300 million for the state of maryland. hurt county executive ken oleman plans to tour ellicott city tonight. he will talk about the program to improve water quality in the county and also in the chesapeake bay. it's a new logo and a paint job for american airlines. these are some of the first airplanes sporting the new look. this is the first update for the airline in 40 years. officials say the new look will be on the 550 new planes joining the american airlines fleet. a public viewing will be held this afternoon in st.

louis for stan musical. he was stan the man and one of baseball's greatest hittest probably the greatest lister in the history of the national league. he died saturday at the age of 92. that's the same day that the orioles lost earl weaver. he was 82. well, fiery and emotional testimony from secretary of state hillary clinton happened on the capitol hill. she testified before congress about the september 11th attack on the osteogens had in benghazi. four americans died in that attack including the u.s. ambassador to libya. clinton fired back when questioned about the statements made by then u. n. ambassador susan rice days after the assault. >> was it because of a protest or guys out for a walk one night who decided they'd go kill some americans? what difference at this point does it make? it is our job to figure out what happened and do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again senators. >> today, clinton will introduce senator john kerry starting his senate confirmation hearing to become the new u.s. secretary of state.

a committee in charge of making recommendations on school safety in the wake of sandy hook's school shooting will have its first meeting today. during that meeting, the 16 member panel will get updates and review the status of the sandy hook investigation. police are continuing to process evidence in the aftermath of the december shooting in connecticut. 20 first graders and six staff members were all killed. the gunman lanza killed himself when police stormed the building. the report is due on march 15th. a connecticut woman has found a creative way to turn guns into necklaces and bracelets. jewelry for a cause started as a fundraising tool for schools and groups. it's now in a few retail stores across the u.s. and recently they've turned guns from newark, new jersey and the police department there into jewelry called the caliber collection, orders are coming in from all over including those who have been victims of violence. >> people who have had destruction in their lives due to illegal guns and they're also really proud to wear this

as a symbol of support and comfort. >> 20% of the proceeds made from the caliber collection will be donated to the newark police department. it's time now for a check of the weather forecast outside. it seems like is the snow is a bit drier. it's kind of sandy and got the high altitude colorado feel to it. >> that's the kind you can just sweep right off the porch. >> this is not snowball snow. >> we'll have another round and this is going to be to do the same thing. and this is courtesy of the dry air. as we look at the school day forecast, abc2's most accurate school day forecast it is cold. it's frigid this morning once again. so i know i sound like a broken record. you can just push play and hear me say it all over again. make sure you do bundle up and you dress in players as you head out and about. the kids heading to school this morning. even as we go into the afternoon temperature at 27 degrees. and we should be at 41 degrees now for this time of the year. but that 27-degrees is going to feel a lot colder like we're in the teens because we will have the windchill factor once again.

here's a little bit of the arctic air survival. five ways to ease the freeze. protect the plumbing and also protect the paws, protect your pets as well and make sure you don't dry out. put lots of moisturizing on and the humidifier. let's get a check now of the abc2 timesaver traffic with lauren cook. good morning. good morning lynette. if you are on the roads, do take it slow. it's extremely important to do so because the roads are really going to be slick this morning. unfortunately we are already dealing with several accidents trouble in howard county. where there's a crash right along the southbound lanes of columbia pike right at route 108. and in baltimore county, we're dealing with an accident in parkton right on the harrisburg expressway. this is right along the northbound lanes at old york road. as we head south on 83, this is what it looks like just north of the beltway. you'll notice traffic moving right along not too many people out there. no delays getting into downtown baltimore. it's going to take you 11 minutes to travel southbound from the beltway all the way down to fayette street. 695 also going to be free of delays but the snow covering the roadways. you're looking at an 11 minute

ride right now on the outer loop from 95 all the way up to 83. and the west side will remain clear of delays just 11 minutes right now on the outer loop from 795 down to 95. that's a look at your abc2 timesaver traffic. charlie over to you. the cold weather may pro vent the spread of the flu but can also cause other other health problems you may not consider. coming up at 5:00 we're going to be talking with gmbc about what you can do to keep you and your family safe when temperatures could turn dangerous (the bitter cold turns a burning warehouse into a frozen mess. these stories are coming up in the 5:00 hour of "good morning maryland" that starts in just a few minutes.

thanks for staying with us, this is a story about four teenaged boys, three who did something remarkable and one who will never forget it. scott has williams syndrome and it inhibits his speech and learning abilities but doesn't affect the spirit at all. he's one of the friendliest people at the high school in tennessee. that's why three seniors decided to give the honor to him. >> it was kind of emotion from everybody. i think i saw scotty shed a few tears and i know jesse was pretty emotional. we were all emotional out there on the the court. >> it means an awful lot to you doesn't it? >> he hasn't taken the medal